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Book Review: Ink and Bone by Rachel Caine

Ruthless and supremely powerful, the Great Library is now a presence in every major city, governing the flow of knowledge to the masses. Alchemy allows the Library to deliver the content of the greatest works of history instantly—but the personal ownership of books is expressly forbidden.

Jess Brightwell believes in the value of the Library, but the majority of his knowledge comes from illegal books obtained by his family, who are involved in the thriving black market. Jess has been sent to be his family’s spy, but his loyalties are tested in the final months of his training to enter the Library’s service.

When he inadvertently commits heresy by creating a device that could change the world, Jess discovers that those who control the Great Library believe that knowledge is more valuable than any human life—and soon both heretics and books will burn.…

This book is good, like really good. I was expecting Ink and Bone to be different based on the summary, something closer to a typical YA novel. It isn’t.

The characters, the world, the BOOKS! So many wonderful books! It’s the first in The Great Library series so of course there were books. BUT THE BOOKS! You will have to read it to know what I mean. Once you do I know you will agree, THE BOOKS!

Part of me really wishes something like The Great Library actually existed. Not so corrupt or controlling obviously. But an international library that grants instant access to every book ever written to anybody sounds amazing! Worldwide insta library for the win!

Things are not so simple in the real world or in the book and The Great Library is anything but generous. Unfortunately this is a tale of absolute power corrupts absolutely. It quickly becomes clear to the main character, Jess, that the Library has only its own interests at heart and enlightening the world is not what it cares about.

I do have to say this book is a bit brutal. War, betrayal, the criminal underbelly and the dark side of the Library are all depicted rather plainly. I can’t say the author didn’t pull any punches because it could have been a lot worse but there were times when I had to set the book down and walk away. My little heart just couldn’t take it. I kept coming back though and I’m looking forward to reading the next one.

So my verdict, if you haven’t guessed already, Ink and Bone is definitely worth the read. Bring on the rest of the series!